Help, 88 Ranger 2.3 rough Idle and running Help!

[NID_FTL]

I have a 2.3L, 4 clynder in my 88 ranger and all of assuden 5 days ago wile I was driving about 35 40 miles an hour it started pinging and rough running and loss of power. wile it's running I can remover the 3rd clynder plug wire and it does not change the idle, however when I remove 1, 2 or 4 the engine stalls. I figured it was a bad injector so I replaced #3 still run's like crap. could this be a bad injector wire in the wireing harness or am I look at a valve problem or a blown head gasket? there is no water in the oil and the coolant is still not getting blow by so I am lost here. any help would be Helpful.

Other thing's I have done, is to verify the timming belt TDC marks, I replaced the fuel filter, and emptied the remainder of the fuel in the tank and replaced with fresh clean gas. I have checked spark on all 4, and inspected all the vacum lines. fuel pump is working and everything else I can think of has been checked. Help! Jimbo...

 

[Mark_88]

You may need to do a compression test for one thing if you haven't already done so...and test the spark on number three piston...check the wire for continuity on #3 or just swap it with #4 to see if anything changes...

Seems like #3 is the problem though...so at least you have an idea of where the problem might be...if the wire swap doesn't make any change the compession test should rule out or in any problems with the head...may be valve stuck open or something of that nature too, but likely the head gasket between 2 & 3...

 

[NID_FTL]

getting gague for compression test tommorow

Yes, getting gague tommorow, I concur that a leak between 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 could be the issue, but would i not also have reverse problems on the alternate clynder? When I do the compression test, what readings am I looking for and how do I dertemin weather it's head gasket or a valve issue, from theese readings. Thanks In advanced. Jimbo...

 

[Kenneth S]

My 88 2.3 had the same problem a while back, started running rough for a while, then started to overheat, head cracked between the valves in the #3 chamber, a leakdown test will tell you a lot more than a compression test.

 

[NID_FTL]

Thank you, will purchace gague accordingly tommorow. I can get this part at Harbor Frieght. leak down test is done with the ignition off? I assume this is to show if it is leaking when setting at full compression? this is much more active than the other fourm I joined 4 days ago. Thank god I kept looking.
Jimbo...

 

[Kenneth S]

I don't know if harbor frieght would have it, but you could try. To run a leakdown, ignition off, put the cylinder tested on the compression stroke not quite on tdc, make sure that truck is in gear (if it's a manual trans) with a parking brake that WILL keep the truck from moving, if it's an auto trans (or if the parking brake won't hold) lock the engine so it won't turn (a socket on the front crankshaft bolt with a breaker bar against the frame will do) then all you need is a 100 psi of air,